Wilkens, Mary Janet (Mrs.Rev. Cornelius ) 1912-2005

WILKENS, GREGG, SMITH

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/21/2014 at 21:02:48

Hawarden Independent Ireton Examiner April 21, 2005

Mary Janet Wilkens, 93, of Hawarden died Tuesday, April 12,2005 at the Hawarden Community Hospital. Funeral Service was April 15 at the Associated Church in Hawarden with the Rev. Rick Kargard officiating. Burial followed in the Grace Hill Cemetery at Hawarden. Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden was in charge of arrangements.

Mary Janet Wilkens was born Jan. 23, 1912 in Montrose, S. D., the daughter of William Gregg and Jessie (Knox) Smith. She graduated from Montrose High School in 1930 and received a teachers certificate from Dakota Wesleyan and later took classes from the University of Northern Iowa. Mary Janet taught at Montrose, Hawarden, and Sioux Falls prior to her marriage to Rev. Cornelius Isaac Wilkens on July 24, 1941 at Montrose. They lived in Salem SD for a short time before moving to Castlewod SD in 1942. They moved to Hawarden in 1968. Cornelius died on July 22, 1982.

Mary Janet was in many church activities such as the UPW Synod of SD, Bible Study Circle, Women’s Fellowship and served on various committees and as an Elder. She enjoyed her time spent in many organizations as a member and officer including PEO, Literature and Art of Federated Women’s Club, Golden Agers and MIC. Mary Janet was also active with the Hawarden Hospital Auxiliary and Big Sioux River Historical Society.

She is survived by two sons, John Wilkens of Maple Grove MN; her son, Paul Wilkens of Pittsford NY; her daughter Lois Beck of Overland Park KS; seven grand children; six great grandchildren. Mary Janet was preceded in death by her husband; and two brothers and their wives, John and Florence Smith and Donald K. and Delores Smith.